Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 118.djvu/3829

 118 STAT. 3799 PUBLIC LAW 108–458—DEC. 17, 2004 (2) Policies that support economic development and reform also have political implications, as economic and political lib- erties are often linked. (3) The United States is working toward creating a Middle East Free Trade Area by 2013 and implementing a free trade agreement with Bahrain, and free trade agreements exist between the United States and Israel and the United States and Jordan. (4) Existing and proposed free trade agreements between the United States and countries with predominantly Muslim populations are drawing interest from other countries in the Middle East region, and countries with predominantly Muslim populations can become full participants in the rules-based global trading system, as the United States considers lowering its barriers to trade. (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— (1) a comprehensive United States strategy to counter ter- rorism should include economic policies that encourage develop- ment, open societies, and opportunities for people to improve the lives of their families and to enhance prospects for their children’s future; (2) one element of such a strategy should encompass the lowering of trade barriers with the poorest countries that have a significant population of Muslim individuals; (3) another element of such a strategy should encompass United States efforts to promote economic reform in countries that have a significant population of Muslim individuals, including efforts to integrate such countries into the global trading system; and (4) given the importance of the rule of law in promoting economic development and attracting investment, the United States should devote an increased proportion of its assistance to countries in the Middle East to the promotion of the rule of law. SEC. 7116. MIDDLE EAST PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE. (a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006, (unless otherwise authorized by Congress) such sums as may be necessary for the Middle East Partnership Initiative. (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that, given the importance of the rule of law and economic reform to development in the Middle East, a significant portion of the funds authorized to be appropriated under subsection (a) should be made available to promote the rule of law in the Middle East. SEC. 7117. COMPREHENSIVE COALITION STRATEGY FOR FIGHTING TERRORISM. (a) FINDINGS.—Consistent with the report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, Congress makes the following findings: (1) Almost every aspect of the counterterrorism strategy of the United States relies on international cooperation. (2) Since September 11, 2001, the number and scope of United States Government contacts with foreign governments concerning counterterrorism have expanded significantly, but such contacts have often been ad hoc and not integrated as a comprehensive and unified approach to counterterrorism. 22 USC 2656 note. VerDate 11-MAY-2000 13:54 Nov 10, 2005 Jkt 029194 PO 00000 Frm 00333 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 C:\STATUTES\2004\29194PT4.001 APPS10 PsN: 29194PT4

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